A soldier from the 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) has been killed in action.

The soldier was serving in the Nad&#8209;e Ali district of Helmand Province when he was injured as a result of enemy action on 25 March 2013. The soldier was flown to hospital for treatment where, sadly, he succumbed to his wounds.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Major Matt Allen, said:

"It is with deep regret that I must report the death of a soldier from 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) who has died as a result of wounds sustained during an insurgent attack in Nad&#8209;e Ali in Helmand Province. His death comes as a great loss to all serving in Task Force
Helmand. Our thoughts and prayers are extended to his family and friends at this difficult time."

The serviceman's family has been informed.

It came on the same day that at least nine troops were injured in a car bomb attack at a patrol base in Helmand Province.